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APL 3910, Exemplar 3910, MF KW, Esoteric X-01?

I currently have Krell KPS-28c cd player ($8500). I am thinking about upgrading in the near future. Please help me decide which player – most important for me is “red book” format. The rest of my gears are Krell KCT pre-amp ($9000), Krell 400cx amp ($10500) and Wilson Audio Sophia ($11500). Following are possible players in random order:
Musical Fidelity KW SACD - $7,000.00
Krell CD/SACD – to be released soon (because of CAST) - $?
ESOTERIC X-01 SACD/CD - $13,00.00
APL 3910 - $5000.00
Exemplar 3910- $4000.00

Will I be down grading instead of upgrading with any of the above player?

Thanks in advance for your input
sd2005gt
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I briefly compared the Exemplar 3910 and a stock one. I was shocked at the greater quiet and dynamics of the moded unit.
goose
697 posts
 
Modwright, Exemplar, APL? I'm thinking of upgrading to the modwright Sony 999es. On a dollar basis you can pick up the Sony for $500 and get the full mod from Dan for $2,100. I'm not interested in DVD-A so the Denon 3900 isn't a requirement (unless it sounds so much better). It's always difficult to compare so I was interested in any feedback on the Sony/Modwright combination. I have some info from the threads but am always looking for more recent comments. Thanks.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Goose, I doubt if any more expensive unit gives twice the quality of sound as they cost more than twice as much.
Post removed 
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
IMHO, The review update is accurate. Mine is current except for the clock. I am not sure if it is the best digital in the world because everything has trade off. (Master of the obvious)
However, it is well balanced. To me, the strength is liquidity (?neologism) and smoothness. The bloom and warmth enhances many recordings and there lies the trade off for some image specifity.

For the price, it is truly a winner. I have had much more expensive source in my system and can't keep up with this.
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